About 15 years ago, I had given up on growing pulmonarias (Pulmonaria spp. and cvs., Zones 3–8) in my Zone 7 garden. In 2005, I received a 2-inch pot of pulmonaria in the mail from the Garden Writers Association. I thought about tossing it but decided to give the little thing a chance, and so I planted it. The following year I could not believe my eyes. Not only had it lived, but it also had quadrupled in size and was covered with beautiful flowers. I dug around it, found the label, and became fast friends with ‘Diana Clare’. I began to read up on pulmonarias and found out that ‘Diana Clare’ is a hybrid of P. longifolia (Zones 3–8). This species and its hybrids are both more heat tolerant and more resistant to powdery mildew than the cultivars more commonly sold at the time. I soon began seeking out P. longifolia cultivars and hybrids.

‘Diana Clare’ begins its yearly show in late winter and early spring with short stalks of dark violet flowers that age to cobalt blue. The flowers are followed by long, beautiful, deer-resistant strappy leaves that emerge with a spotted border and age to pure silver. It makes a sizeable clump and performs best when divided about every four or five years in fall.

In the South, pulmonarias perform best in dappled shade or with a few hours of morning sun, although deep shade can encourage powdery mildew. They are fairly drought tolerant but prefer organic, rich, moist, well-drained soil. Most grow best in Zones 3–7, but ‘Diana Clare’ will thrive even on the edge of Zone 8. Pulmonarias look good in groups or massed as a ground cover in a woodland or shade garden, and they make an effective edging plant.

Both the botanical name and the sometimes-used common name “lungwort” come from a belief among medieval herbalists that suggested the outward appearance of a plant determined its herbal virtues. Because pulmonaria’s spotted leaves resemble a diseased lung, the plant was thought to be a cure for lung ailments. Thank goodness for modern medicine!

‘Diana Clare’ pulmonaria (Pulmonaria ‘Diana Clare’)

Zones: 3–8
Conditions: Partial shade; average to moist, well-drained soil
Native range: Garden origin

Jason Reeves is curator of the University of Tennessee Gardens in Jackson.

Sources

• Bluestone Perennials, Madison, OH; 800-852-5243; bluestoneperennials.com
• Plant Delights Nursery, Raleigh, NC; 919-772-4794; plantdelights.com

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Planting in a Post-Wild World: Designing Plant Communities for Resilient Landscapes

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Featuring gorgeous photography and advice for landscapers, Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West is dedicated to the idea of a new nature—a hybrid of both the wild and the cultivated—that can nourish in our cities and suburbs.

Buy at Amazon

The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Doug Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own backyards. He also shares practical advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area.

Buy at Amazon

Pruning Simplified: A Step-by-Step Guide to 50 Popular Trees and Shrubs

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Pruning Simplified shows you exactly how to do it. This must-have guide offers expert advice on the best tools for the job, specific details on when to prune, and clear instructions on how to prune. Profiles of the 50 most popular trees and shrubs—including azaleas, camellias, clematis, hydrangeas, and more—include illustrated, easy-to-follow instructions that will ensure you make the right cut the first time.

Buy at Amazon